Good point nuttyeyes! Tweaked Opals language.

...

Opal was wearing her new blue jacket and was excited for Erica to see it, it went so well with the scarf her friend had brought back from Paris last year.

They had arranged to meet up at the Yacht Club. It was a chance to catch up properly after over a week apart.

She found Erica already waiting at a table on the terrace. She was reading something from a folder on the table; probably fan mail.

"Well if it isn't the great Erica Kane!" exclaimed Opal, opening her arms wide for a hug.

A cheerful smile appeared on Erica's face and she got up to give her friend a welcoming embrace.

"It's great to see you."

"And look at you." said Opal as they took their chairs. "I can't believe how well you look! What is it, a month ago; you were at deaths door."

"Well I've been given a second chance and I don't intend to waste it!"

"I glad to hear it!"

Erica's smile simply glowed.

"Jack and I. We have decided to make a new start. Focus on what is important. Family and our future together."

Opal nodded.

"So has he popped the question yet?" she asked leaning eagerly across the table.

Erica's smile faded slightly.

"He did, but I said no."

"Why in blazes would you go and do something like that?"

"I love him… and I want to be with him. It just seems that every time I put a ring on my finger it all goes disastrously wrong."

"Only sometimes." said Opal. "But you're together."

Erica's smile returned to its original radiance.

"We're together." confirmed Erica. "It's just that after what happened in New York I've realised I need to focus on the important things; Jackson and my girls. That has to be enough."

"What did happen in New York?" asked Opal, keen to find out what had upset her friend.

"Have you seen the film?"

"I did. I don't know who Shirley MacLaine was playing, but it sure as heck wasn't me!"

"Well then you know." said Erica. "They made me bring my daughters to see that. They made Bianca watch that!"

Opal's face grew serious.

"They didn't warn you?"

"They didn't say a word – it was to be a surprise! And it wasn't just what they did in the film it's how they were. It wasn't like I remembered – the media. I was a joke - my love life had become a joke… how does that happen?"

"Is that the real reason you turned Jackson down, is twelve marriages too many?"

"But it isn't even that many." said Erica huffily, "Technically it's barely six!"

"Well then what is the problem, seven is a lucky number! Or do you still have cold feet from before?"

"No, not at all. I just don't know what to do with my life. I had plans, you know, Hollywood and the high life… but now I don't want it. So what now? I can't just be Jack's little wife, that isn't me! My family is important; I just don't know how to find a balance between them and myself.."

"Have you spoken to Jackson about it?"

"Some of it. I'm not sure I know myself about the rest."

Opal spotted the Paramount Pictures logo on the top of the letter Erica had been reading.

"Is this what that file is all about?"

"Frederick, my agent sent it. It's requests for TV, radio and magazine interviews. There are also quite a few job offers, guest spots including host of Saturday Night Live; even on offer to join the panel of 'The View'."

"Really?"

"Yes, and every single job offer means leaving Pine Valley."

"So you find something else. Or you start something else. You're still part owner of Courtland Electronics, and you have begun so many successful businesses over the years, Enchantment, Tempo Magazine, Erica's Disco…"

"I don't know if I've got the energy to start over just yet."

"Then why worry? I know you; something will land on your lap. It always does. But right now, are you happy with Jack?"

"Yes."

"Then why do you need anything more?"

Erica laughed.

"You're right." she said. "What did I ever do to deserve such a wise friend?"

Opal smiled back.

"Because you are a good friend in return."

Opal looked passed Erica's shoulder and her expression changed. She recognised the waitress serving at a nearby table.

"Now wait a gosh-darn minute. That's Valerie, what in 'Sam Hill' is she doing here, she's supposed to be working at Krystal's today!"

…